Former French Senator Convicted of Drugging and Assaulting MP
The recent conviction of a former French senator for drugging an MP’s drink has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Joel Guerriau, aged 68, has been handed a four-year prison sentence, with 18 months to be served in custody, after he was found guilty of intent to sexually assault Sandrine Josso, 50. In addition to his sentence, Guerriau must pay Josso €5,000 (approximately £4,348) for emotional distress. This harrowing case highlights serious issues surrounding drug-facilitated assault.
The Incident
In November 2023, Guerriau invited Josso to his flat in Paris to celebrate his re-election. During the visit, he admitted to spiking her drink with MDMA. However, he claimed it was unintentional and denied any malicious intent. Following the verdict, Josso expressed that the outcome brought her “huge relief,” while Guerriau’s legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling.
Testimony and Reactions
Josso’s Experience
Josso recounted her unsettling experience when she began feeling ill after consuming a drink from a champagne glass. “I had gone to visit a friend and I discovered an aggressor,” she stated in her testimony. “I didn’t want to show him my weakness… worried he would force me to lie down.”
With assistance from a colleague, she managed to leave Guerriau’s residence and sought medical help. Toxicology tests later indicated that her blood contained three times the typical recreational dose of MDMA.
Guerriau’s Defense
During the trial, Guerriau mentioned he had been battling depression and had intended to consume the drug himself the previous night. He explained that he mistakenly gave Josso the drug-laced drink instead. “I feel sorry for Sandrine,” he admitted in court. “I am disgusted with myself, with my recklessness and my stupidity.”
He also made a statement regarding the lack of awareness surrounding the impacts of drugs, expressing a desire to educate others on their dangers. Despite this, his numerous online searches for ecstasy and GHB raised eyebrows, to which he responded he had no memory of conducting those searches.
Aftermath and Advocacy
Guerriau, a member of the centre-right Horizons party, was suspended following the emergence of the allegations and resigned as a senator last October. Meanwhile, Josso, who continues her role as an MP for the centre-right MoDem party, has become an ardent advocate against drug-facilitated sexual assault, a cause that resonates deeply with her own traumatic experience.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Josso stated, “Psychological trauma feels like being frozen in time… I jump at the slightest thing.” She has joined an association focused on combating chemical submission, founded by Caroline Darian. Darian’s father, Dominique Pelicot, was convicted in 2024 for drugging his wife and facilitating a decade-long abuse scenario.
Conclusion
This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for awareness and action against sexual violence facilitated by drugs. As survivors like Josso raise their voices, the hope is for a greater understanding and prevention of such heinous acts.
Key Takeaways:
- Joel Guerriau received a four-year sentence for drugging and assaulting MP Sandrine Josso.
- Josso’s experience highlights the psychological trauma faced by survivors of drug-facilitated assault.
- Guerriau plans to appeal his conviction.
- Josso is actively campaigning against chemical submission in an effort to raise awareness.